The first impression, or what can be said about a person in a few seconds

thin sections

This term was invented in 1992 by psychologists Nalini Ambad (Nalini Ambady) and Robert Rosenthal (Robert Rosenthal). They used it in the study of the phenomenon of first impressions and social intuition.

According to the hypothesis, the nonverbal behavior of a person can tell a lot about him. To test this hypothesis, the researchers recorded a 10-second video clip without sound, in which Harvard professors lectured. Video showed people unfamiliar with the teachers and asked them to evaluate the speakers on 15 parameters ( "thin slices"). Volunteers tried, as far as speakers are active, confident, sincere, and so on.

The experiment was then repeated, but already showed a 5-second spots, and another group of spectators. Surprisingly, the thin slices in both cases practically coincided. The scientists went on: the timing was reduced to 2 seconds, and the participants in the experiment again updated. Result repeated.

The researchers then asked to describe the teachers of students who attend their lectures and know them more than one semester. Here wing of the main surprise.

Thin slices among students and bystanders who rated Teachers only for short "dumb" rollers, practically coincided. This allowed to summarize:

People conclude about those who see for the first time, very quickly, literally within the first 2 seconds of communication. At the same time their judgment has nothing to do with what a person says.

Let's find out what makes thin sections of our people in the first seconds of acquaintance.

The trust

Alexander Todorov (Alexander Todorov) and Janine Willis (Janine Willis) from Princeton University establishedThat people conclude interlocutor Reliability for 100 milliseconds.

One group was shown pictures of unfamiliar people and they were asked to rate their degree of attractiveness, competence and reliability. Each image exhibited 0.1 seconds. Another group was given the same shots, but the time is not limited. An evaluation of the participants of the experiment, to contemplate the photos just 100 milliseconds, in line with the estimates of those who saw the photo as I wanted. Particularly strong correlation was traced in the evaluation of the level of confidence to the personality.

social status

A study by Dutch scientists revealedThat people use clothing as a social marker that determines the position in society and the level of an individual's income. When a person wears Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste or thing other well-known brands, the surrounding people think that it takes a high position.

In one experiment, participants showed video interviewing applicants for the position of research assistant at the university. Part of the job seekers were dressed in simple white shirt, and some - in shirts with clearly marked brand. But the actions and speech of all were identical. Each volunteer was shown only one movie, after seeing that he was to assess the on the seven-point scale, how a particular bidder is worthy of the position and what his social status. Situation applicants in Society designer clothes was evaluated above, and their chances to receive the operation.

The study authors note that the designer clothing does not affect the assessment of other qualities - reliability, kindness, and others. Only status.

sexual orientation

Nalini Ambad (Nalini Ambady) and Nicholas Roel (Nicholas Rule) conducted a study and it turnedThat male sexual orientation can be determined as 50 milliseconds.

The volunteers were shown pictures of men (hetero and homo) with dating sites at random for different time intervals. At 50-millisecond visual contact with photo accuracy of the estimates of sexual orientation was 62%.

Approximately the same results were obtained in the study of probability determination on the faces of women sexual accessories (Rule, Ambady & Hallett, 2009). And the time to do so required even less - 0.04 seconds.

Intelligence

Professor of psychology at Loyola University in Los Angeles, Nora Murphy (Nora A. murphy) suggestsThat ability to look into the eyes is a sign of intelligence. Those who at the meeting did not look away, give the impression of a more intellectually developed people.

Murphy tried to determine what criteria people assess mental abilities. To do this, the subjects were divided into two groups: the first was asked during the conversation, recorded on video, clearly demonstrate erudition; the second such instructions are not given. All participants underwent IQ-test. "Game" behaved about the same: keep your posture, making a serious person and always looked his interlocutor in the eye. And it is in this group of viewers often significantly determined by the level of intelligence of participants, including low.

Eye contact during conversation - the key to behavior. It is interconnected with the assessment of intelligence that can be manipulated, if not to hide his eyes.

In addition, there are other stereotypes, forming an idea of ​​the human mind. For example, wearing a solid points.

If you want to be, not to appear, read the article "How to become smarter"And"Three ways to become smarter».

licentiousness

British scientists establishedThat women with tattoos on visible parts of the body are perceived as a loose (loving at times hard to drink and promiscuous).

The study's authors Viren Swami (Viren Swami) and Adrian Ferhem (Adrian Furham) showed participants pictures of women in bikinis experiment. In some of them had tattoos on his stomach, while others - on hand, the third and here and there, and in the fourth they were not. The volunteers were asked to assess the women on three parameters:

• mental toughness;
• alcohol consumption;
• physical attractiveness.

The more tattooed woman was, the less attractive and chaste it felt. "A girl with a tattoo in the public eye - is a tomboy who loves alcohol, cool cars and the attention of men," - summed up the scientists.

Leadership

Albert Mannes (Albert E. Mannes) from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania foundThat bald men is attributed to the dominance, they are perceived as leaders who can successfully manage a team.

The scientist conducted a series of experiments. In one of them he showed pictures of men with hair and without. Person in the photo were the same age and in the same clothes. Volunteers should have a look at the pictures and say which of the men more strong in the moral and physical. Palm went bald.

Success

A group of British and Turkish researchers establishedThat people in costumes made-to-order, give the impression of a successful career wise.

That is the conclusion, researchers also came during the experiments with photos. Volunteers was enough for 5 seconds to conclude.

If you want to improve the image and look in the eyes of others more successful, wear clothes sewn and custom tailoring good tailor.

Also, the study says that women in sexy skirts and blouses with deep neckline perceived as workers with lower status than women, strictly complying with the dress code. Scientists attribute this to the fact that a closed body - a sign of power. For centuries, representatives of law enforcement agencies were closed garments.

Potential

In 2011, Canadian researchers came to this conclusion: in the eyes of men who prefer the classic business suit quickly achieve fame, money and success than the adherents of casual style.

Participants were shown pictures of the models. Some of them were in elegant suits and some in simple everyday things. The volunteers were asked to predict what people will work in the photo and what fate awaits them. As a result, men in jeans and sweaters attributed to lower wages and positions, even if they were sitting in a leather armchair in luxury rooms. In contrast, persons in business suits were tried as "Kings of Life": they will have a lot of money, they quickly succeed.

Adventurism

The staff at Durham University found the link between gait and a thirst for adventure. According to them, free and relaxed pace speaks of extraversion and the propensity to gamble. While the pull is enough gait characteristic of neurotic personalities.

Findings were made in the course of the experiment, where students watched videos from reaching people.

As you can see, the proverb "meet on clothes ..." has a scientific basis. Here the first impression made by man, often remain final.

And what do you look for when meeting and why? Tell us in the comments.